Cross Stitch Project Complete!

Sorry for the lack of updating!
I promise there really is a cookie post in the near future. It's just that there is a lack of ingredients and food in my house and no time for serious grocery shopping.

Now onward to the topic of the blog post:
I completed the cross stitch project I've been working on for the longest time!

I will take pictures when there is better light tomorrow - then there will be a proper post.
I just needed to celebrate the crafting victory.

Next on the list: the Doctor Who scarf

First Cooking Post: Chicken Tenders & Fries!

Finally, my first cooking related entry.

A healthier version on chicken tenders and fries was the endeavor. It was a success!

I used a Weight Watchers recipe and it was quite delicious.
Instead of using a batter and frying, this recipe calls for bread crumbs and baking.  I was surprised at how much flavor the chicken had. The fries were also baked after being coated in a small amount of vegetable oil - also tasted delicious.

Since the recipe isn't really free unless you have a membership, I'm not going to post the actual recipe.  In the future I will post any recipes I create and link to free ones around the web.

However, the recipes are pretty basic.
Fries - cut up potatoes, drizzle with oil, toss, season, bake
Chicken - coat in something moist (eggs, sauce, whatever you usually use), coat in bread crumbs, bake

Here is a picture of my outcome:

Not a post high in how-to or info, but the next cooking entry should be - it's cookies! (once I make them)

Crafting Update:
I've worked some more on my cross-stitch patter. At this pace it should be done by next weekend!

The scarf project starts this weekend! I know my bar says there is a smidge of work done, but I just gave myself credit for picking out all the yarn and supplies. Choosing matching yarn colors is harder than you think so I believe it deserves some recognition, haha.

This blog has definitely given me more drive to work on my craft projects. I hope I can keep it up.

An Old Project + A New, Epically Long One

My new goal is to finish craft projects I start instead of forgetting about them.
In line with this new goal, I have taken a cross-stitch project out of the closet with the plans to finish it.  I started the pattern about 8 months ago, but there were about 4 months were no actual work was done.  This is only my 4th cross-stitch project and it happens to be quite large for an amateur like be - so it is taking a while.

I like working on long term projects while I work on smaller or mostly completed projects to break up the routine. As I have no long term project, so it is time to pick a new one!

My new project is.....
Knitting a 4th Doctor Scarf!

Yes, it is another Doctor Who craft.
I might cook everything, but I craft geek - just for your future knowledge.

I have put progress bars in the side bar at the left so you can all follow my progress (if you care). I'll probably post about the scarf as I go. However, the cross-stitch project won't have a post until it is complete due to there not being much to write about during the process.

Before I leave you:
I apologize for not having any cooking experiences to share so far.  I really need to restock the kitchen in my house so there will be actually food to cook. Cooking posts to come soon, though, as I am going grocery shopping tomorrow.

Doctor Who Stencil Art - Canvas

My first crafting post!
Please excuse my writing style and way of explaining things. This is my first blog and I wouldn't be surprised if some parts sound confusing as I learn how to explain on and write a blog better.

Now back to the craft!

I wanted to give my friend a Christmas/Going Away gift before she left to study abroad, so it had to be something good.  *Idea* - Doctor Who themed gift. We are both huge Doctor Who fans and often spend our down time when working on our campus programming board discussing all things related.

My inspiration came from a Craftster post I saw while searching for ideas. (Check it our Here)
I loved what this person, taerowyn on Craftsrer, did and thought I could do an amateur version for a gift.

My process:

Unfortunately, I had a brain lapse and forgot to take pictures during the process. That would be more helpful, right?

For stenciling, this is my second attempt, I use the handy kitchen supply known as Freezer Paper. Freezer paper is waxy on one side and paper on the other. The paper side is perfect for sketching patterns and the wax side sticks to what you want to stencil on when ironed.

First, I found pictures/photos I wanted to stencil.  I decided to do the 3 most recent Doctors (9, 10, & 11) and the Tardis (If you are not a Doctor Who fan, ignore those words and just know that is 4 pictures).
I do not own Photoshop software of any level, so I had to use Microsoft Word to change the photos into Black & White pictures.

Example:

Next was tracing the picture onto the paper side of the Freezer Paper. As you can see there is a lot of black on that photo and it distorts the edges, so I had to get creative and compare pictures for an idea of where the edges of the face and hair should be.  

After tracing I cut out the parts that were black in the B&W photo with an Exacto knife. That was a learning experience and, no worries, no one was harmed during this craft project!

As I mentioned earlier, Freezer Paper can be ironed on to many things temporarily. I ironed on the Freezer Paper stencil to the canvas and used a sponge brush to dab on black paint. After the paint dried I peeled of the paper and ... WA-LA, art! 

**Something learned from the project: While stenciling is now one of my more favorite crafting techniques, canvas does not make a nice seal with Freezer Paper. I had to re-do my Tardis because the first version's paint bled and feathered everywhere.

Finished Product:

Isn't my orange desk a lovely background.

I hope to have another craft or cooking project ready soon! 

I also plan on learning how to better layout and manage this blog so it looks more appealing... we will see.

Starting Over

I found that a blog about random things in my life doesn't work for me - my life is pretty normal and average. However, over the last year I've been doing a lot of crafting and cooking. I like sharing my projects, so I plan to start this blog (which really never got off the ground) over.

I have a finished project that I actually took pictures of *gasp* (I rarely remember) and that'll be my first post in a couple of days.

New year, new blog!